Predicting All 17 Games on the 2025 Minnesota Vikings’ Schedule
Football is officially back, and the NFL regular season kicked off on Thursday night with a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Of course, the Vikings will be the closing game of Week 1 on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears, and fan excitement is at an all-time high as J.J. McCarthy is set to officially begin his career as the team’s starting QB.
Ahead of Week 1, here are predictions for every game on the Vikings schedule this season.
Minnesota Vikings Schedule Predictions
Week 1 at Chicago Bears (1-0)
The Minnesota Vikings begin their season with a divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Chicago has the potential to improve greatly this year under Ben Johnson’s leadership, and they worked to improve an offensive line around Caleb Williams. That being said, Minnesota’s defensive front, when healthy, has the chance to be one of the best in the league. The Vikings pick up a win to begin the year.
Week 2 vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
The Falcons have a talented group on offense, and it seems like that unit came together much better with Michael Penix at QB last year than it did with Kirk Cousins. Still, especially in the home opener with plenty of excitement on Sunday Night Football, Minnesota’s pass rush will be too much for the young QB to overcome.
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
The Cincinnati Bengals once again do not have a very strong offensive line protecting Joe Burrow, but after back-to-back disappointing 9-8 seasons, Cincinnati seems ready for a bounce-back year in 2025. It also seems unlikely that the Vikings start 3-0 without Jordan Addison in the lineup, and it makes sense that the loss would come against a high-powered offense like Cincinnati’s.
Week 4 @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
The Vikings begin their tour of Europe with a stop in Dublin to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Who knows how much gas is left in the tank for the 41-year-old QB, and Brian Flores’ defense will give him fits.
Week 5 @ Cleveland Browns (4-1)
Minnesota becomes the first team to take their operation from one European country to another as they head to London for Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns. The QB situation is less than ideal for Cleveland, and despite Minnesota taking an unbeaten path through Europe, they go 2-0 across the pond.
Week 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
The Vikings head back home to U.S. Bank following their bye week, and they are greeted by an Eagles team that has a ferocious, hungry defense that is the youngest in the NFL. Philadelphia’s defensive front and offensive line are two of the best units in the entire NFL, and Saquon Barkley coming out of the backfield will help the Eagles control the clock. Minnesota falls for their second time of the season.
Week 8 @ Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
The Chargers are building a classic Jim Harbaugh team that will grind out games. The offensive line no longer has Rashawn Slater after he suffered a season-ending injury, but Omarion Hampton should be a stud in LA’s backfield. Minnesota falls for the second consecutive week in a Thursday Night Football game.
Week 9 @ Detroit Lions (4-4)
The Vikings have not proven they can beat the Lions in recent years, losing each of the past five matchups against Detroit. Perhaps J.J. McCarthy will ring in a new era for this rivalry, but I need to see it before I can believe it, especially on the road.
Week 10 vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-4)
After losing three consecutive games, the Vikings are officially in make-or-break mode as they head home to take on the Baltimore Ravens. In need of a statement win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Minnesota beats Baltimore at home likely behind a massive game from Justin Jefferson who always steps up in these games.
Week 11 vs. Chicago Bears (6-4)
The Bears will be better in 2025, but once again, the Vikings’ pass rush will be relentless against Caleb Williams. Make it two wins in a row for the Vikings.
Week 12 @ Green Bay Packers (6-5)
Micah Parsons adds a whole new wrinkle to the Green Bay Packers’ defense, and especially at Lambeau Field, it’s going to be tough for Minnesota to win if Green Bay’s receivers are healthy.
Week 13 @ Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
The Vikings run into their old friend Sam Darnold in Week 13, but despite Darnold’s success in Minnesota, it remains to be seen if he can replicate his 2024 campaign with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a 32-year-old Cooper Kupp who has run into injury troubles in recent years. Minnesota wins in Seattle.
Week 14 vs. Washington Commanders (8-5)
Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game during his rookie season, but I need to see this Commanders defense in action before believing such success can be repeated in 2025.
Week 15 @ Dallas Cowboys (8-6)
The new-look Dallas Cowboys offense looked pretty strong against the Philadelphia Eagles in Thursday night’s opener, and it seems that they may actually have a steady rushing attack this year with the combination of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. A receiving duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will be a big test for Minnesota’s cornerback room, and ultimately, results in a loss.
Week 16 @ New York Giants (9-6)
The New York Giants are a tough team to figure out this year. They have a talented defensive front, but their quarterback situation could be disastrous. The Vikings pick up a win.
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions (9-7)
Ditto to what was written for the Week 9 matchup. Kevin O’Connell needs to prove he can handle this Lions team.
Week 18 vs. Green Bay Packers (10-7)
This likely is a must-win game for the Vikings to qualify for the playoffs. Green Bay and Minnesota are two evenly matched teams, and Kevin O’Connell has proven he can beat this team inside U.S. Bank Stadium, winning two out of three matchups against Green Bay at home.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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